North Tipperary Under 13 Hurling Finals reports

By Liam Hogan

‘A’ Final -

Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-16 Nenagh Eire Og 1-10

A spectacular 1-5 without reply in the six minutes after half time helped Kilruane MacDonaghs successfully defended their North Tipp Under ‘A’ Hurling title after a well-fought final against Nenagh Eire Og in Dolla on Saturday.

Kilruane went 0-4 to 0-1 in front after ten minutes before Nenagh cut it to the minimum after fifteen minutes before Kilruane went four in front. Nenagh rallied for a second time and were one behind at half time 0-8 to 0-7.

The second half began with Kilruane scoring three points in ninety seconds with Jack O’Meara providing two before Senan O’Leary added a third. It got better when Jack O’Meara found space approaching the goal before he shook the net. O’Leary added a point to see Kilruane eight in front.

Nenagh were stunned, yet they rallied and forced Kilruane keeper Shane O’Meara to produce a goal-line clearance and when play reached the other end three Senan O’Leary points had the lead out to eleven, 1-15 to 0-7.

Despite the deficit, Nenagh found renewed energy and points from Cian Ryan and Kirsters Janitens were encouraging. Senan O’Leary’s free made it 1-16 to 0-9 but Shane O’Meara’s great save denied Marcus Finn at the expense of a point. When Adam Quigley’s free went all the way to the net, Nenagh were six adrift, but Kilruane used the injury time well as Lukah Williams scored their second goal to run out nine point winners.

Senan O’Leary and Jack O’Meara led the way for Kilruane but the worth of Shane O’Meara, Mark Cleary, Michael Hutchinson, and Lukah Williams has to be noted. Ronan Quinn, Cian Ryan, Kirsters Janitens, Fionn Tucker Marcus Finn and Anluan White caught the eye for Nenagh.

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Shane O’Meara; Ben Williams, Ben Teefey; Cian O’Looney, Mark Cleary, Dylan Hussey Sheahan; Tiernan Casey, Jack O’Meara (1-2); Lukah Williams (1-1), Tarla Dorris (0-1), Michael Hutchinson (0-3, 1’65); Paul Williams, Senan O’Leary (0-9, 1f).

Nenagh Eire Og: Justin Griffin; Ronan Quinn, Paraic Sheehy; Harry Walsh, Cian Ryan (0-1), Eibhin Darcy; Kevin Hogan, Kirsters Janitens (0-1); Fionn Tucker (0-3f), Adam Quigley (1-0f), Marcus Finn (0-4); Anluan White (0-1), Oisin McNamara. Subs: Aron Griffin for McNamara; Harry Bailey for Darcy; Daniel O’Leary for A Griffin.

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines)

‘B’ Final -

Silvermines 6-7 Kiladangan 3-9

Four first half goals in a blistering ten-minute spell were the catalyst for a Silvermines victory over Kiladangan in a goal-scoring fest at sun-splashed Kenyon Park, Templederry on Sunday.

While the number of goals was high, both goalkeepers, Craig Kennedy and Oisin O’Mahoney could walk away with their heads held high as the made some fantastic saves.

After Jack Ryan opened the scoring for Kiladangan, his namesake James had the ‘Mines opening goal in the seventh minute. Seconds later, Tom Byrne had Kiladangan back in front when he found the net.

The goals came thick and fast as Fionn O’Shaughnessy’s first goal had Silvermines two in front after eleven minutes with and their third goal came in the three minutes later when Ben Platt’s forty-metre free went all the way to the top corner of the net to give the ‘Mines a 3-2 to 1-1 lead. Silvermines were like a dog with a bone and a minute later Aidan Steed had their fourth goal and by half time they led 4-3 to 1-3.

The second half began with James O’Dwyer scoring from play for Kiladangan. Ben Platt replied with his third placed ball before his side had goal number five with Fionn O’Shaughnessy raising his second green flag.

Trailing by four goals, one would have felt that Kiladangan’s day was done but they commenced a comeback with James O’Dwyer scoring. Two Aidan Steed frees kept the ‘Mines out of reach momentarily but Kiladangan began to steal a march as they scored 1-4 on the run with Josh O’Shea scoring 1-1 inside a minute before Donagh Carmody added three quick points.

Silvermines were relieved to see a Kiladangan goal disallowed before they turned defence into attack for O’Shaughnessy to bag his hat-trick three minutes before time. Still Kiladangan came back with Tom Byrne find the net a second time leaving Aidan Steed to score his third free just before the final whistle.

Silvermines: Craig Kennedy; Conor Carey, Christopher Ryan; Tiernan Dillon, James Hanrahan, Harry Quinn; James Ryan (1-1), Sean Treacy; Ben Platt (1-3, 1-2f, 0-1 ’65), Fionn Shaughnessy (3-0), Kian Kennedy; David Bourke, Aidan Steed (1-2, 0-2f).

Kiladangan: Oisin O’Mahony; Conor Girad, Tadgh O’Brien; Liam White, Josh O’Shea (1-1), Daniel Boland; Dan Connolly, Jack Ryan (0-1); Donagh Carmody (0-3, 2f), Tom Byrne (1-0), Mikey Ryan; James O’Dwyer (0-4, 1f), Hugo Stanley. Subs: Stephen Byrne for Stanley; Dylan O’Dwyer for M Ryan.

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh).

‘C’ Final -

Templederry Kenyons 3-12 Ballinahinch 3-10 (AET)

Extra time was required from where Templederry Kenyons got to the finishing line first in a cracking contest against Ballinahinch in Dolla on Saturday.

It was a game that had it all, great scores, and great saves by the respective goalkeepers with Tadgh Murphy so good at one end for Templederry and Seamus Bridgeman at the other and each trying to outdo one another.

The first half was a game of two quarters with Templederry’s Daithi Kennedy crowning a dominating opening period when scoring a great goal to give his side a 1-4 to 0-1 lead. But Ballinahinch came good approaching half time they scored four unanswered points to make it 1-5 to 0-6 at half time.

Scores stood at 1-7 each, eight minutes into the second half when a long range free by Liam Crosse deceived the Templederry defence and finished in the back of the net. Ballinahinch’s Conal Bourke scored a great goal to put his side 2-8 to 1-9 in front with five minutes remaining. Their supporters wondered if they had done enough but Templederry fought back, and two Daithi Kennedy frees made it 2-8 to 1-11 and two five minute periods of extra time were required.

Ballinahinch took the lead through an Aaron McGrath free. They continued to hold the lead approaching the break when a goal by Odhran O’Kelly had Templederry in front. Barely forty seconds later the lead changed hands again when Luke Ryan scored Ballinahinch’s third goal and were 3-9 to 1-11 in front at the changeover.

Two minutes into the final period, Templederry were back in front when Odhran O’Kelly had his second goal. A free by Liam Crosse left the minimum between the teams but Benjy Browne’s point from play left Templederry two clear and the silverware was heading to Kenyon territory.

Templederry Kenyons: Tadgh Murphy; Scott Powell, Jack McLoughney; Sean O’Kelly, Joe Fahy; Donnacha Browne (0-2), Jack Gilmartin; Benjamin Browne (0-3), Daithi Kennedy (1-5, 0-1f); Donnacha Madden, Sean Ryan (0-2). Sub: Odhran O’Kelly (2-0) for Madden.

Ballinahinch: Seamus Bridgeman; Eoin Ryan, Michael Finn; Ben Healy, Liam Crosse (1-2f); Oran Kelly 0-2, Ruairi O’Regan; Diarmuid Lynch (0-1), Cody Sheedy (0-2); James Ryan, Aaron McGrath (0-3, 1f). Subs: Conal Bourke (1-0) for O’Regan; Luke Ryan (1-0) for J Ryan.

Referee: Christy McLoughlin (Nenagh Eire Og).

‘D’ Final -

Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-6 Toomevara 0-2

Kilruane MacDonaghs retained their North U13 ‘D’ title when they defeated Toomevara in Dolla on Saturday.

Kilruane were the better team by far and indeed their winning margin could have been much greater but for some excellent goalkeeping by Liam O’Meara in the Toomevara goal. Shane Carroll had him beaten in the tenth minute and three minutes later Ray McLoughney’s dropping shot deceived O’Meara which helped Kilruane to a 2-3 to 0-2 half time lead.

Theo Dunne was one of Toome’s best players and he scored his sides two points while Kilruane’s Ciaran Foote scored five points as Kilruane ran out comfortable winners.

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Mark Gaynor; Odhran Goulding, Robert Cleary; Colin Gaynor, Sean Whelan, Liam Dollery; Isaac Hussey Sheahan, Shane Carroll (1-0); Rory McLoughney (1-1), Jack Ryan, Harry Gannon; Ciaran Foote (0-5, 1f, 1’65), Riain Harte. Subs: Liam Killackey for Gannon; Aidan Fahey for Harte; Daniel O’Brien for McLoughney; Ben Shiels for Ryan; Luke Flannery for Dollery.

Toomevara: Liam O’Meara; James Mounsey, Charlie Hackett; Dara Wyles, Tadgh Ryan, Ryan Kennedy; Theo Dunne (0-2f), Conor White; Thomas Tierney, William O’Dwyer, George Conway; Neil Ryan, Shane Kennedy Fitzpatrick. Subs: George Conway for Kennedy Fitzpatrick; Jack White for Conway.

Referee: Sean O Maolain (Ballina).